100 Years

BIG YELLOW MERVILLE HALL SET TO CELEBRATE MERVILLE’S 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 2019

In April 2019, the
Merville Soldiers’ Settlement community will be 100 years old.

Back In 1919,
returning soldiers from the First World War drew lots for parcels of rock and
stump covered land in the new Soldiers’ Settlement community of Merville (“city
by the sea”). Many ancestors of these original settlers still live in the
Comox Valley today.

Did you know that in
September, 1919, Edward, Prince of Wales, visited the new hamlet of Merville,
opened the first school, blew up a few stumps and planted a commemorative tree?
Well, we have extended an invitation to the Royal Family in England to pay the
community a second visit. Rest assured there will be a big announcement
when we hear back if a representative is able to attend !

Did you know that
Merville also has a sister community in Merville au Bois, France? We approached
the Mayor of the region last summer about visiting and she replied yes! So,
let’s look forward to welcoming her and another Councillor during the
summer/fall of 2019.

1919 was a big year
for this area and we would like to make 2019 an equally important date for this
historic part of the Comox Valley. From a few hardscrabble settlers in
1919, the Merville area now boasts over 8,000 inhabitants.

What better place to
hold the event than at the Big Yellow Merville Hall. The 3-acre site sits in
the geographic middle of Merville and includes a large community hall, two
heritage buildings (a 104 year old church and church hall), a playground and a
large green space.

But before
celebrating, there has to be a bit of organizing, right? And the site has to be
gussied up!

Over the past few
months we have been developing committees and getting to work. An
historic play about the times and the community has been commissioned and
development is underway. There remain opportunities for volunteers and
paid labourers in many other areas. So, let us know if you wish to
get involved. Committees include:

Construction, landscaping and upgrades

Fundraising

Tourism

Heritage

Communications and advertising

Agriculture

100 year celebration party

September 27 – Staging of the Play

September 28 – The Play Matinee and an evening Old Time Dance

September 29 – Heritage Fall Fair

Inquiries should be
directed to Craig at 250-339-4249; Dawn at 250-941-2064; or seabankmars@shaw.ca.